4 replies to this topic

[shine]

Hello,

Here's what I want to do:

1. Move my existing WORDPRESS website, http://www.shinelikethesun.com, currently hosted at GoDaddy, to ASO.
2. Do so with no downtime.
3. TEST the website at ASO before I make the transfer.

I've searched the forums and the web for step by step instructions on this, but what I've found has not yet resulted in success. Yes, I read the forum topic on moving websites, but it didn't get the job done.

I am not a programmer, but to date, over the last 7 years, I've handled all my website work myself. If I could find someone reasonably priced I'd have them do the move, so appreciate any referrals. In lieu of THAT - here's what I've done so far:

* Backed up my existing website.
* Ftp'd all the files from my existing website into my new ASO Ip address, subfolder public_html
* Backed up the sql dbase from my existing site
* Created a new dbase using ASO cPanel, with the same name as my existing sql dbase
* Attempted to import the existing sql dbase into the new sql dbase on ASO, but came up with an error message

Surely, there is some easy way to move a Wordpress site from one host to another. I would be eternally grateful for easy advice on how to do this, test the site at ASO, and then make the switch (which I understand requires repointing the DNS servers).

With thanks.

[IBBoard]

The easiest steps are:

1) Download old content (only necessary if you don't have a local copy - but you do have a backup, don't you? )
2) Take backup of database and store in a file
3) Upload content to new site
4) Restore database to new server
5) Edit your "hosts" file to override the IP address for your website when viewed from your computer (instructions)
6) Test and make sure that you're happy with the site
7) Update DNS records
8) Revert changes in "hosts" file.

I've never used Wordpress, but from what I know of it then it keeps some of its paths in its config in the DB. There may be a better way to export and import your data - the WP documentation would tell you that - but it may also be possible to just update the paths in your database using phpMyAdmin to edit the rows.

[djbaxter]

Quote

Attempted to import the existing sql dbase into the new sql dbase on ASO, but came up with an error message

What was the error? Did it time out?

You can't proceed until you get the database imported and, as IBBoard says above, you may well have to check the wpconfig file and make any necessary changes once you complete the import..

[shine]

Thanks to both above for your replies.

I found info similar to the first response online and attempted following it, but no luck. On the second, I was hoping to find a more automated process to use ...

I'd tell you the error but now in Firefox and in Safari when I attempt to go to the control panel page all I get is a blank page. Will email ASO for help on that one.

[billzo]

shine, on 11 February 2011 - 07:16 PM, said:

Thanks to both above for your replies.

I found info similar to the first response online and attempted following it, but no luck. On the second, I was hoping to find a more automated process to use ...

I'd tell you the error but now in Firefox and in Safari when I attempt to go to the control panel page all I get is a blank page. Will email ASO for help on that one.

IBBoard laid out the steps pretty well.  You do know what the Wordpress configuration file is, right?

It should not be difficult to move your Wordpress over to ASO.  Wordpress consists of files and a database.  Once you copy your files over, you need to set up a database using cPanel, make a note of your new database name and password, then import your SQL dump of Wordpress using phpMyAdmin.  After that step is done, update your Wordpress config file to reflect the new database name (and possibly password), then you should be ready for testing.  And you should find no problems.

When you are ready to put your ASO installation into production, you'll need to update your nameserver info at your domain registrar and either set the DNS to ASO's DNS or update your DNS records (including your email record) to your ASO server's IP address.

It can seem a little overwhelming.  But it really isn't.  It is quite simple, actually.